Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — Just like we all expected, right?
Not exactly.
Ohio State, the No. 8 seed in the expanded College Football Playoff, came out on top in the end. They were cast for dead after an early season loss to Oregon and a will-Ryan-Day-survive-another-loss-to-Michigan ordeal.
But in the end, the Buckeyes proved to be the hottest team in the country — and the ones holding up the trophy.
Some of that was predicted at the beginning of the season simply based on the alleged amount of money Ohio State spent to keep and build its roster. But games aren't won on paper.
It was an unpredictable 2024 season — that somehow wrapped up 20 days into the new year — that will be remembered as one of the best. College football certain isn't dead — even in the transfer portal and NIL era.
The following is the final ballot I submitted for the year to the Associated Press that will be counted in the consensus rankings that will be released Tuesday morning.
1. Ohio State
Nobody is happier in America than Ryan Day right now. Sure, his team still has a Michigan problem — and the fans won't let him forget it — but winning a national championship has a way of silencing the doubters.
Sure, it's another blue-blood winning a national championship, but they proved it against stiff competition in arguably one of the toughest paths to a title.
2. Notre Dame
Kudos to Notre Dame for silencing the doubters after an inexplicable loss to Northern Illinois early in the season. The Fighting Irish were an afterthought for much of the season because of that loss, but the team went undefeated the rest of the way before falling to a better team in the end — and even then they fought to the end.
Say what you will about the regular season, but Notre Dame had to get past Indiana, Georgia and Penn State to get to the national championship game. Marcus Freeman can coach!
3. Penn State
The expanded playoff was made for Penn State. No team benefitted more (OK, others definitely did, too) than the Nittany Lions, who no longer have to always play third fiddle to Ohio State and Michigan to get to the playoff. And though the team proved some doubters wrong, winning the big game is still elusive to James Franklin.
Penn State is always *this close* to the big win, and almost topped the national runner-up.
4. Texas
Texas has been a difficult team to predict this season. The talent has always been there, but it never felt like the Longhorns to fully maximize the potential. At this point we're splitting hairs, but it was the difference in Ohio State playing for a national championship and not Texas.
Still, the future is bright for a program that has now strung together consecutive dominant seasons and is the leader of the SEC ... for now?
5. Oregon
Easily one of the best teams all season, and yet the playoff format hurt the Ducks — as the No. 1 seed. Still, a no-show against Ohio State doesn't really help the cause. No team invested as much money in the 2024 season as much as Ohio State other than Oregon, but it still wasn't good enough. The trajectory remains upward for the Ducks, though.
6. Georgia
Another difficult team to get a read on this season. Georgia has easily been the best team in the country the last few seasons, but has the dynasty run come to an end? It's difficult to stay on top, but the biggest issue for the Bulldogs was consistency this season.
7. Arizona State
Picked to finish last in the Big 12 preseason media poll, Arizona State proved everyone wrong. There were moments where Arizona State seemed to be ranked too high, but their exit against Texas proved they belonged among the best this season. And if not for targeting no-call, maybe the Sun Devils had more in the tank for a deeper playoff run.
8. Tennessee
No offense to Tennessee, but nothing about their season really stuck out to me — even after ranking them each week. That's crazy to say considering the season they had, but it just felt empty given everything. Unfortunately for the Vols, they got to be the victims of an Ohio State team looking for redemption.
9. Boise State
Ashton Jeanty lifted Boise State to a playoff berth, but the dreams ended quickly against a defensive-minded Penn State team that was simply better. But none of that should take away from an exceptional season for Jeanty and the Broncos.
10. Indiana
What a special season for the Hoosiers. In fact, the only losses Indiana suffered were to Ohio State and Notre Dame — and both those teams seemed OK. Curt Cignetti deserves all the praise in the world for turning around a down Indiana program into an 11-win program.
Dropping out: Texas A&M
Checking in: Memphis
In consideration (alphabetical): Florida, Kansas State, Louisville, LSU, Michigan, Navy
If you can't see my full ballot below, click here.
